Donald F. Hanna

The life of Donald Hanna will be celebrated on Friday, February 3, 2017 at Oakmont Church of God in Shreveport, at 10am, with graveside service following at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. Pastors James Hanks and Leonard Lindsey will officiate.

Don was born in LeFlore County, Oklahoma, on March 17, 1936, and was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday, January 30, after a brief hospital stay. His loving wife of 52 years, Thelma, was at his side. Don and Thelma were married at the original Oakmont Church of God on April 11, 1964, and together they were devoted unconditionally to their God, their two children, their church, their family and countless friends.

Having grown up in rural southeastern Oklahoma, Don always had a deep love for the land, and had a knack for growing just about anything. He always grew and gave away whatever he thought someone else might enjoy—pecans, tomatoes, pears, beans, you name it. He had a particular fondness for roses, and it seemed like whatever he touched grew into something beautiful. At the age of 17, he left home, moved to Louisiana, and began working for Kansas City Southern Railroad, where he remained employed for the next 45 years. In his early years at KCS he learned Morse Code, worked for a while as a telegrapher, and retained his knowledge of dots and dashes long after computers took over. Don was an avid reader, a die-hard fan of his favorite teams—the LSU Tigers, New Orleans Pelicans, and New Orleans Saints—and would take a long drive in the country any time he could. Admiring and nurturing God’s creation was one of his greatest joys.

In Heaven Don will be reunited with both of his parents, Artie and Elmer Hanna, and his four dear sisters: Norma Jean Lewis, Patsy Smith, Loretta Elmore, and Janice DePew. He is survived by his sweetheart and best friend Thelma, his children Doug and Mindy, daughter-in-law Sonya, and his brother Rev. Charles Hanna.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Huckaby, Joe Temple, Dennis DeYoung, Jack Sneed, Scott Jarbo, and Bill Burnside. The family would like to thank and express sincere love for all those who knew and shared their friendship with our dear father and husband, Donald Hanna.